couponing lesson & giveaway 2-in-1

Oct 13, 2008 Author: Patricia | Filed under: Couponing Lessons, Giveaways

One of the most popular questions that I received by doing the Getting To Know You Poll and the Couponing Lesson Question/Tip is this: How do you organize your coupons?

So I thought I would combine a lesson and a giveaway in ONE! All you have to do to enter this giveaway is tell the rest of us how you organize your coupons. I know each person has their own tried and tested method and some of you have probably tried many different methods (I know I did!). So please share with us how you came about with the method you’re currently using and any tips to keep organized.

What will you win? FWTR reader Kim has kindly sent me some cool coupons:

Get a FREE Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste (if you purchased the Crest FAR item from September, this MIR will work perfectly for you)
Try Me FREE Aquafresh Deep-Action or Gel-Flex Toothbrush
2 x $1.10 Off Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Crust
Complimentary 2-piece box of Starbucks Chocolate Truffles Coupon (Up to $1.50)
Various Baby & Pet coupons (if these are coupons you want/use)

If you have a blog and want to illustrate your method pictorially, just leave a comment with a link to your blog entry. Otherwise, you can just leave a comment and write about your method below. Give as many tips as you want.

If you are new to couponing and have so far not established a method, you can leave ONE comment with a range of questions that you would like others to answer to help you choose a method. Anyone can answer a question and this will be counted as an extra entry.

Have fun with this Giveaway and hopefully you will share how you organize your coupons!

How do I organize my coupons? Here’s how:

My Coupon Organizers consists of a Photo Album (that I bought at Wal-Mart) and a Mini-Accordion Envelope (that I picked up at the Dollar Tree):

I clip ALL of my coupons. I normally do this on a Sunday evening while I enjoy The Amazing Race I know it might sound very labor-intensive to be clipping coupons, but I only get a maximum of 3 sets of coupons each week and I’ve somehow devised a way to clip them in bulk to cut down on time. I actually tried NOT clipping my coupons for 3 weeks and that was a total mess for me. I had no idea what coupons I had. Because I’m a visual person, I tend to remember my coupons when I see them. Clipping them individually helps me with this so clipping them is definitely what works for me.
Once I’m clipped them all, I use my trusty Photo Album to organize them into a system I can work with. The way I do it is by Month. I collate all the coupons I’ve just clipped depending depending on a) the month they expire and b) whether they’re FOOD or NON-FOOD.

Sorting them by when they expiring helps when it’s time to clean out all the ones that has expired. It also helps me remember which coupons are close to expiring - so if I find one in that’s going to expire soon, I try to find a deal I can use them on.

While sorting them by Food or Non-Food helps when I’m searching for a particular item. If I mixed them all up then it could get hairy when searching for one coupon. Categorizing them in this way has cut down the time searching through coupons. It definitely works for me.

As far as the Mini-Accordion Envelope that I bring to the store with me, I have also categorized it:

It’s all categorized depending on the store. Since I come from the School of Writing Down What I’m Going to Buy, I merely flip through my Photo Album, take out the coupon I will be needing for that trip and slipping them into the store tab it’s applicable for. I also have tabs for “Hot Food Q’s” and “Hot Non-Food Q’s” - those are coupons that I can use at anytime (this is where my $1 Kotex, Johnsons Buddies Bar, Electrasol & Freebie coupons go, you know, the coupons you would want to have handy at anytime just in case you see a great deal for it).

There you have it! That’s my method. What’s YOURS?

33 Responses for "couponing lesson & giveaway 2-in-1"

Candice October 13th, 2008 at 7:47 am 1

Wow this is a great idea!! I’m a couponing newbie, and I have a method, but I’m not sure if it’s the greatest method, so hopefully I’ll get some great ideas!!! I have three organizers… a shoe box with various envelopes marked (toothpastes, baby stuff, body washing stuff, etc.) then I have an accordion file with all my grocery stuff seperated into sections. And then (because I bough ten papers with the P&G inserts in them) I have a file folder with the inserts stapled and dated. This system is not working for me too much, because my accordian file is not big enough and sometimes I see beauty stuff on sale, but I don’t have that coupon file with me. I need different ideas.
Corrie @ "Cents"able Momma October 13th, 2008 at 8:10 am 2

I have already written a post about my method of organizing coupons…so here it is.

http://centsablemomma.blogspot.com/2008/09/how-i-organize-my-coupons.html

Corrie @ “Cents”able Momma´s last blog post..CVS $5 Challenge
Shaylyn October 13th, 2008 at 8:19 am 3

I use a 3 ring binder in a cloth zippered “trapper keeper” type binder. It has zippered pouches and slots in it for pens, a medium pair of scisors, etc. and on one end is an accordian type file that has about 5 slots. I also clip every coupon…usually Sunday niht since I do my shopping on Monday. I tried keeping the inserts in folders but found that I couldn’t find the coupons easily…especially when they started getting all clipped up. In the 3-ring binder, I have alphabetical dividers and baseball card holders for the coupons. Some coupons do have to be folded but I usually fold it so I can see as much of the picture and price as possible. I put the coupons in alphabetically. That way, I can just look in the g’s for gillette instead of trying to hunt for it in razors, shavers, non-food…etc. I tried that method once and it was hard for me to find coupons. So, I just put it in the section of what I would call it…usually brand name. I take my binder everywhere but have made a list template that I type for each store that I tend to go to. It has a checkbox as well as the sale price and coupons that I tend to use. I run this through my printer so my envelope has the list printed right on it. Then I put those coupons in each store’s envelope and off I go. I find this has worked better for me than a small accordian file or anything.
Meg October 13th, 2008 at 8:47 am 4

Right now I’m using a small accordion file like the one in the post to take my coupons to the store. I’ve got it divided by store. I also use an expired check accordion file with 13 sections for all my coupons. I’ve only been using coupons for about 2 1/2 months and the big accordion is way too stuffed. Additionally, with only 13 sections, I have difficulty finding things. I’m planning to move to a binder system soon. I just have to find the time to buy the supplies.
jamie October 13th, 2008 at 9:57 am 5

ewww! I like the photo album idea. I have just gone to a big zip up binder with trading card holders. IT’s convenient, but BULKY. Big blue(that’s the name I gave it) has a accordian file in the front-big enough for ads and I have labeled by stores. I love the file in front, it has a velcro flap and I don’t have to unzip the whole unit to get what I need. It also has a zip pocket inside that is large enough for my calculator and scissors. Maybe when my binder blows out I’ll look into the photo album idea(give me time to find a good deal)
I think I might steal your small accordian file idea right now, it’ll save my family some embarassment:)
Kristin October 13th, 2008 at 10:01 am 6

I started with a cancelled check file and that lasted about a month. I now use a recipe box with many many dividers. I found that I needed more specific categories if I was ever going to find anything. Example: instead of just ‘food’ I have pantry, cold case, canned, snacks & candy, beverages, frozen.

When I go in to the store, I take a list and pull the coupons I think I’ll need, put them in my store envelope. I will also pull the items to ‘watch’ for, put out feelers and do a price check. (Okay, I have $5 in savings on little allergies, how much is that stuff? Get the coupons out and see when I get there, for example). I will also throw in my ES book and rx coupons at wags, or my shopper card at Gerbes, etc. I keep my recipe box available in my purse or the cart, but mainly work from the store envelope.
Stephanie October 13th, 2008 at 10:16 am 7

I started just by keeping inserts organized by date, and using couponmom’s database/matchups to clip as needed. That didn’t work… too much effort to find/prepare in advance of grocery trip.

I now use a small accordian file system for all clipped coupons. But… I can’t close it anymore. I need to move to something else. I think I’m going to have to use the binder method. Not sure if I’ll use trading card sleeves, or photo sleeves… some coupons just seem too big for the little sleeves. Don’t know.

Also… how many people use the binder system in the store? It seems a bit big to haul around (especially if you’ve got a kid in tow too).
Shannon October 13th, 2008 at 10:34 am 8

I started with two 4×6 photo albums but quickly out grew that method. Now I have two check size accordian files. I use one for grocery items and one for non-grocery items. At first I had restaraunt coupons in my grocery file and medicines in my non-grocery file. However, I quickly found that there are so many medicine coupons that those sections were very full. I decided then that I would use the 4×6 albums I started with. One for restauraunt coupons and one for medicine coupons. I am now very happy with my system. The hardest part was finding an accordian file where the dividers were actually attaced at the bottom. So many of them have ‘floating’ dividers and all I could envision was all of my coupons sliding under and getting mixed up after all my hard work. I found my favorite accordian file at Walmart. In addition to having attached dividers it has a wider section in front. I keep scissors and a pen in one and my Wags ES catalogs in the other. Then each file has 13 other sections. I used card stock (cut down to size) to subdivide those sections so I have 26 sections in each. Here is how I have my dividers organized:
Non Grocery:
Batteries&Miscellaneous/Bathroom Cleaners
Cleaning Wipes&dusters/All Purpose Cleaners
Air Freshners/Carpet Cleaners
Dishwasher/Hand Dish
Laundry/Cat Items
Dog food/Dog Treats
Fragrances/Deodorant
Hair Color/Style Products
Shampoo/Lotion
Makeup/Facial Cleansers
Feminine Products/Razors
Soap/Teeth Products
Baby/Paper/Plastic (I divided this one 3 times)

Grocery:
Refrigerated Baking/Baking
Spices&Sugar/Bread, Jelly, Peanut Butter
Canned Goods/Canned fruits&veggies
Candy/Hot and Cold Cereal
Cereal Bars/Fruit Snacks&Snack Cakes
Dairy/Drinks
Frozen Bread/Frozen IceCream&Snacks
Frozen Breakfast/Frozen Meals
Frozen Meats/Frozen Fruits & Veggies
Meal Kits/Meat
Sausage&Hot Dogs/Produce
Rice, Pasta, Potatoes/Sauces, Spreads
Chips/Nuts & other snacks

Each 4×6 album has a seperate page for each restaraunt or each medicine type (asprin, tylenol, allergy, bandaids, etc.) respectively. After almost a year I finally feel like I have the system that is perfect for me. All 4 of my organizers fit in a small tote and it stays in my car so that I always have all of my organizers within reach if I find a great deal!

Shannon´s last blog post..Cleaning Supplies
Telisha October 13th, 2008 at 11:40 am 9

I have used both the accordian file(I’ve really outgrown that now) and the binder method with bus card holders. While I like the binder method in theory, I just do not have the time to fold all the coupons to make it doable. I also tried to file the extra inserts and check sales, make a list and just cut what I need. As a Working mom with 5 boys, that was just too time consuming. I’ve finally settled on the plastic shoebox with the long envelopes containing the coupons. I also take all inserts (usually 3 or 5) and staple together and just cut one time. Also that way if you want to stockpile something all of the coupons are right there together. I also have coupons envelopes for Publix and target store Qs. I usually go over sale fliers and take the coupons for things I want and add to a small envelope labeled, PUblix, WAGS, CVS ect. I will take this envelope into the store along with the box. If a quick stop, I’ll just take the envelope, but I always have the backup in the car. Now I use my binder for MIR and receipts storage for Rite-Aid and WAGS.
Jana October 13th, 2008 at 11:46 am 10

I have an accordian coupon holder that I use. I have it divided into 10 categories. Lately I have been clipping more coupons, and using coupons more often. I have decided that I need a more detailed/organized way to use my coupons. It can take forever to dig through the Health/Beauty Aid section to find one coupon…thank you for your blog!
Erin October 13th, 2008 at 11:50 am 11

i did the recipe box for a while, sorted by product type. then that got messy, so I went alphabetically. then it got to be to much, so i hade split it in two alphabeticaly sections grocery & non food. Then that got to be to much of a hassle sorting through Q’s over and over.

this weekend I completed my coupon binder and I love it. I have a 2-1/2 binder with the plastic cover inserts. I didnt go the sports card pages route because thats limited size and they are so expensive! (10 pages for $6!!) I had a tons of the 8-1/2 X 11 plastic cover pockets. I put a piece of thin cardboard in the pocket, then on 1 side took an exacto knife and cut lines across in 1-3 spots. Then I took my sewing machine and sewed the bottom line of the cut to make the pocket. from there I can sew smaller pockets going length wise. I can sew sizes to custom fit. I have grids from 4 pockets per page to 16 pockets per page. some are small and some are long, etc. Each pocket has all the coupons associated with that specific product, on top is the highest $ Q first or closest expire date. Then I have them tabbed by type of product. Toothpaste, makeup, vitamins, etc.

I also sewed a cover for my notebook binder, its purple I made it so it has an inside pocket to hold my tools (scissors, pen and ads) and then sewed handles on it so I can carry it with ease. It’s so much nicer to flip through the pages and see what I have then flipped through stacks, dropping stuff or missing the better coupon. Plus i kept losing coupons, thats frustrating). I also can see expiration dates clearly without having to sort every coupon once a month.

I cut out the ESC IVC coupons and put them in the binder with the ManQ, so no more hunting and picking through the catalog to see if it has an IVC.

With the rebates i print online, i have pockets for those so I dont overlook them either. I 3 hole punch the ads and have them in there as well so everything is in one place. there are pockets for receipts on rebate and rainchecks too!

if i remember, i will try and take a picture tonight and send it in.
kim October 13th, 2008 at 12:25 pm 12

I started with a binder with sports cards inserts which worked when i first began for a few weeks, than i really lagged behind and piled everthing in a large box to go through later. lol!! so just made myself a shoebox with labeled envelopes, which i had been trying to get to for months actually. So because they were weighing heavy on my conscience, and because i had not done anything with them for months i threw my old stack of inserts away. it was just way too much to get so behind, and it did seem like there were so many links on line that those were the bulk of the coupons i was using anyway. (and they do expire in time, so probably i will not have any major regrets, hopefully) We have a 2 1/2 drive every friday to go to a ministry we are involved in, so if i am organized i can file on friday night coming and going. this last week was so fun, i was just outside of NY in a bagel shop , and rounded up about 5 papers worth of inserts that were laying around, and then at the airport i scavenged a few more. interesting thing, there were sooooooooo many diferent inserts there. and i have used quite a few this week cause they were fresh on my mind, and people mentioned on line how to use them.
Shannon October 13th, 2008 at 3:51 pm 13

I forgot to mention in my previous comment that my accordian file also expands at the bottom so that when I open it all the way up it stretches out about 12 inches at the bottom instead of just expanding at the top. That is another thing to consider when purchasing an accordian file.

Shannon´s last blog post..My Coupon System
Desiree Rodrigue October 13th, 2008 at 3:59 pm 14

I am pretty new to couponing and I have a method still trying to perfect. I have two acordian files a small one 4×6 and a big one 9×11. Right now I have the big one separated as such. The first pocket has all the coupons that expire this month and any hot coupons I might be using, the next pocket has next month and the third has the next month. The small file has all coupons for next year. Then I have the next three slots for stores specifically One for wags that holds the ad, easysaver, coupons and rr’s theres also an envelope with the coupons for that specific week , One for safeway with ad, any store coupons or catalinas, and then I have one for riteaid and walmart (I dont shop those as often) this holds ad and envelopes of coupons I plan to use there. Then the last pocket of the folder holds any fast food flyers/coupons and the inserts that havent been cut yet. I have four children at least two in tow at all times and yes I take these with me to the store but I try to cut and sort before shopping if possible and it seems to work for me. I also have two wipes containers One for reciepts and rebates and one for all coupons, I will sit and cut put all in the container then sort if I dont finish then they are all contained together and if by chance I have to run to the store I just have to grab that too if I know there are coupons but dont know where. Thank God for stroller baskets.
Jennifer S. October 13th, 2008 at 4:07 pm 15

Here’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve been saving the coupon inserts each week and putting them in clear folders marked with the date. That way when someone posts a great deal I can go straight to the right set of coupons instead of having to dig through a huge stack.

I do clip some coupons to use right away, if I think I might need them for dinner in the next week or two. Those I file in a little expandable file that was meant for index cards. I have them separated into categories and I carry that with me to the store if I don’t have a plan already made out.

Jennifer S.´s last blog post..Progresso Broth
Karina October 13th, 2008 at 6:16 pm 16

I leave all my inserts whole and simply write the date they came out on the upper right hand corner. I flip through each insert when I get it, so I have a rough idea of what’s available each week, but I mostly use the coupon database at Coupon Mom to find match ups.

I still end up with some loose coupons, which I organize in envelopes with the tops cut off. I have one for coupons specific to each store I shop at regularly, one for general loose coupons, and then one each for RRs and Walgreens receipts. So far this set up has worked really well for me. The one drawback is that I don’t have coupons with me to match up to unexpected sales, but for now I’m okay with that.
Sheila October 14th, 2008 at 6:53 am 17

That’s a great system! I have mine up for viewing at My Personal Reviews http://4mypersonalreview.blogspot.com/2008/10/coupon-show-and-tell.html
Ellen October 14th, 2008 at 8:07 am 18

Here is my coupon binder explained http://www.thriftyandchicmom.com/search/label/Coupon%20Binder
Marlena U. October 14th, 2008 at 9:04 am 19

As of now, I only cut coupons from one Sunday paper. I’m kind of new to the world of “couponing” so once I get it down, I’ll probably add more. I have a small accordian file that I have divided by baby items, household items, hygiene items, boxed food, frozen foods, etc. It’s not the greatest system as I still spend too much time searching for coupons in the store. This is a great post as I am hoping to change up my system a bit to make it easier. Thanks for starting the discussion! m_huston(at)hotmail(dot)com
Diana October 14th, 2008 at 1:21 pm 20

I am really out of sorts by the way you guys all do your coupons. I had an accordian holder twice and yes I accutually left them somewhere and had to start all over. So now all I do is save all the ads in a folder with date on them and cut out the few I use and put them each in an envelope according to meat, dairy, health abd beauty, ect and keep all the envelopes in my purse to look through when I find a deal. My husband thinks I crazy every time I pull out my envelopes at a store just to save 50 cents.
My Precious Pennies October 14th, 2008 at 1:28 pm 21

I did a little review of the coupon systems that I have tried in the past…the evolution of the coupon system: http://mypreciouspennies.blogspot.com/2008/10/evolution-of-coupon-system.html

I only take an accordion folder into the store with me, but I really miss being able to take all of my coupons with me into the store.

What I really want to know is how people work the clipless system. I tried for about 2 weeks and I drove myself nuts, and spent hours clipping them all again.

My Precious Pennies´s last blog post..Giveaways Galore
Jaclynn October 15th, 2008 at 1:43 am 22

I’m a coupon newbie. Only about two months now but am AMAZED at the money I’ve been saving ever since. It’s hard to think of all of the money I’ve blown all these years by thinking I was getting the BEST deal on everything by shopping at Walmart and buying Great Value. Thanks to your blog and many others, I am now on a money saving path to getting out of debt! I was overwhelmed with coupons at first, big time! I am now getting the hang of it but haven’t been happy with my coupon organization. Up until now I’ve had one of those big coupon binders with very general tabs for all of my coupons. It is overstuffed and is difficult to find what I’m looking for. I bring this with me incase I run across an unexpected deal while shopping and also put together different envelopes prior to shopping (Walmart, Walgreens, etc.) This has helped but I need something that I can carry with me for unexpected deals that I can flip through quickly. I’m really liking the photo album idea. I did some grocery shopping tonight and my total before coupons was $96.47. After all of the coupons it came to $43.00. I was so proud of myself! I just wish that searching through all of the store ads and coupon cutting wasn’t so time consuming. It’s hard with two girls under 5. Have any of you that have been couponing for awhile found that it gets quicker over time? I’m assuming it will. I LOVE your blog and you always put a smile on my face and get me energized to Save, Save, Save! On a note about time, THANK YOU for taking time out of your day to educate others on saving and working out lots of deals. That in itself saves me a lot of time!
Kristin October 15th, 2008 at 7:56 am 23

Jaclynn, I have only been doing this since the middle of August and, well, just read my comments on the post ‘my non-existent shopping list.’ My last grocery trip I saved 60%. It does get easier, and I find it keeps my mind sharp. Putting scenarios together is like a little riddle or puzzle, trying to maximize your savings. I have a 7 month old so I understand that time can be precious. My first suggestion would be to stop wasting time looking through your grocery ads for deal matchups! There are places online where they do all that work for you! I like the Grocery Gathering at Be Centsable http://www.becentsable.net/2008/08/becentsables-original-grocery-gathering.html

Just click on your local grocery store or stores and they’ll list the deal matchups with recent coupons, saving you lots of time!
Margery October 18th, 2008 at 12:46 pm 24

I use the small shoebox method with envelopes for each category. I pull out the Qs I plan to use on a shopping trip and tuck them into an envelope. I bring both the envelope and the small box with me shopping, just in case I find something else I didn’t pull out the Q for ahead of time.

I just found your great website. I had a terrible trip to Walgreens today to use my $5/25. My receipt didn’t have the RFN # for the Easysaver online rebate, either, so I have to go back and see if they can reprint the receipt. They were out of everything on my list. I’m sure to get better at this as I go along.
Kathryn October 18th, 2008 at 1:36 pm 25

For my grocery shopping I use the binder method although I’ve been so busy with school that the last couple of weeks I haven’t clipped anything.

For eating out I use the coupon board which I illustrate here:http://frugalpath.blogspot.com/2008/09/coupon-board.html

And for all the rest of my shopping(like going to the mall) I use a small accordion file like yours.

I think by keeping them separate I am my organizied

Kathryn´s last blog post..In the Mailbox:Business Cards
Nancy October 18th, 2008 at 1:52 pm 26

I have always clipped coupons but I am new to using the “smart” way and really getting free things from them. Right now I just have a plastic shoe box with clips. I took hard plastic file dividers I gotten on clearance and cut them to size and labeled. I made pockets out of a few marking my favorite stores. When I am ready to go I take everything but only take my pockets into the stores with me. I shop with 2 young children so the less I have to juggle in the store the better. This works for me since I don’t have near as many as most people.
Jenn October 18th, 2008 at 1:57 pm 27

I’ve only been doing this for a few months, but I’ve definitely found a way to organize my coupons that works best for me. I use a clear plastic box that is the size of a recipe box (for 4×6 cards). Then, I wrote different categories on dividers that I put in there. I like that it’s small, and I can even put it in the front of the shopping cart when I’m out and about…easily. I’ve learned, though, that I need to always keep it in my car. I went out already, thinking I had it, and I didn’t…OH! I also like that it’s small enough that I can do some sorting (like tossing out old coupons) when I’m in the passenger’s seat (when we’re driving somewhere and my hubbie is driving…).
I’ve also learned that keeping all of my receipts is vital, too. I just grab a large freezer bag, write the month on the outside of it, and toss my receipts in the bag. I also keep that in my car…then I always know where it is!
angie October 18th, 2008 at 4:09 pm 28

I organize my coupons in 3 (5×9inch) accordian style holders. One has grocery/food items, one has hygene/cleaning/everything else, and the last one is labeled with each specific store, so I can sort coupons related to specials each week and keep them in that spot. I also put resturant coupons and freebies I get in the mail in the “stores” file holder.
I also shove my recipts in the “store” holder so I can find them later.

angie´s last blog post..A fun shopping trip.
Theresa October 18th, 2008 at 5:58 pm 29

I organize my coupons in a binder and use baseball card holders to hold and display my coupons. If I’m going to WAGs or CVS i will take out the Q’s i plan to use and move them to my small accordion folder. If I’m going to Walmart or the supermarket I take my entire binder!

Theresa´s last blog post..P.S.
Heather October 19th, 2008 at 9:27 am 30

I just started couponing! Last night I bought baseball card holders at Walmart and a Franklin Covey - expensive but, oh so attractive -zip up organizer to hold them. It came with a calculator attached to the front!
CJ October 19th, 2008 at 10:23 am 31

I have a small plastic accordian file that i organize some of my coupons in by expiration date. But I have a section in the front for coups I want to use soon and another just for pet food coups. Then I have separate envelopes for Walgreens, grocery store and WalMart/Target. Each week for Walgreens I fold a half sheet of paper in half again, write the deals on the front, and store that week’s coups inside. Sometimes I take my entire stash of coups into the store and sometimes just the individual envelope. Not the most efficient system, but so far it’s worked okay for me.
Bev October 19th, 2008 at 11:21 am 32

Currently, I’m using a plastic accordian file, which is working well for me. It fits in my purse, which I like and it has ample space for all my coupons. Thanks for the giveaway! I really enjoy your blog.
Mercedes October 19th, 2008 at 2:03 pm 33

I am a brand new coupon saver. So far what I have done is this: I leave the coupon pages (from the Sunday paper etc.) intact. Then I decide what store I am going to shop at, look at the sale ad and then pick the coupons that I will be using for that visit. Right now that works for me but I do need to get a special system in place.